clientele

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'clientele' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of people who regularly use or buy a particular service or product, or who are served or targeted by a business. For example: "We have a diverse clientele ranging from young families to retired couples."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inside the country, Fidesz has favoured the middle class, and especially the upper middle class, thereby building a core clientele of politically active supporters – while slashing benefits for the neediest (about a third of Hungarians live in poverty – don't be fooled by the glittering, EU-funded projects in the centre of Budapest).

The Guardian - Opinion

Up on the rarefied and leafy heights of Kolonaki, home to some of central Athens' most expensive shops and their exceedingly well-heeled clientele, it was hard to find anyone really upset by Syriza's victory – or worried by Tsipras's warning that the vote was "a defeat for the oligarchs and elites".

The Guardian

In Penygraig, one woman casts her eyes towards the village's huge Labour club, and talks about the bedrock of the clientele: "Older men who don't listen to anything".

The Guardian

Some may also remember the fact that he had to apologise in 2013 for bemoaning the amount of "trash" among the clientele of London nightclubs, in a post on an elite social network.

The Guardian

And talking of gauche, the brand famously doesn't gift clothes to celebrities – Touitou has said in the past he would rather give clothes to teachers – but it still counts Alexa Chung, Keira Knightley, Wes Anderson and Jarvis Cocker among its clientele.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Masud has been adopted by the locals and converted a loyal Venetian clientele to his own take on Bangla-Italian cuisine, serving samosas, spicy vegetarian bruschetta and exotic polpetta meatballs.

The Guardian - Travel

It is a traditional Chilean drinking den, its clientele a mix of tradesmen, shopkeepers and artists.

The Guardian - Travel

· If you want to avoid the Christmas rush, go after 15 December to shops which have primarily English clientele - Tesco says it's very quiet then.

The Guardian - Travel

And those commonly acccepted age/hour requirements in full: This will probably take the form of a two-hour snooze after lunch, then a 12-hour main sleep from 7pm to 7am; babies and small toddlers match their sleep to something like the hours of the clientele of a gentleman's club.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The trip focused on sightseeing, and we dined out at quality restaurants, including Hostaria Costanza, within the walls of the ancient Pompei theatre, and Il Piccolo Mondo, famous since the 1960s for its movie star clientele.

The Guardian - Travel

And when he has to make a speech in a gay bar with a clientele whose look is more S&M than M&S, you fear for him – how is it all going to pan out?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clientele" to refer to a specific and often high-value group of customers, especially when emphasizing their collective characteristics or habits.

Common error

Avoid using "clientele" in overly casual situations; simpler terms like "customers" or "guests" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The noun "clientele" functions as a collective noun, referring to a group or body of clients that frequent an establishment or purchase a service. As Ludwig confirms, it's used to describe a specific group of people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "clientele" refers to the body or class of people who frequent an establishment or purchase a service. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it is a grammatically correct and widely used term, primarily in news and business contexts. It serves to identify a specific customer base, often implying some shared characteristics or exclusivity. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in extremely informal settings, where simpler terms like "customers" might be more suitable. Related terms such as "customer base", "patronage", and "client group" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

customer base

Replaces "clientele" with a focus on the group of customers a business serves.

patronage

Similar to "clientele", but emphasizes the support or custom provided by patrons.

client group

A more direct and simpler substitute for "clientele", highlighting the group aspect.

body of clients

A more formal and descriptive way to refer to a "clientele".

market segment

Focuses on the specific part of the market that a business targets.

consumer group

Highlights the role of the "clientele" as consumers of goods or services.

regular customers

Emphasizes the recurring nature of the relationship with the "clientele".

list of customers

More direct approach in describing the "clientele".

set of patrons

Replaces "clientele" with a group of supporters.

client pool

Implies the available or potential "clientele".

FAQs

How do I use "clientele" in a sentence?

You can use "clientele" to refer to the customers of a particular business or service, for example: "The restaurant's "clientele" consists mainly of young professionals."

What can I say instead of "clientele"?

You can use alternatives like "customer base", "patronage", or "client group" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "clientele" in formal writing?

Yes, "clientele" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing business, services, or exclusive establishments. It suggests a curated or specific customer group.

What's the difference between "clientele" and "customers"?

"Clientele" often implies a more exclusive or regular group of customers, whereas "customers" is a more general term for anyone who purchases goods or services from a business.